A 16-member mission team, including eight people from Big Canoe Chapel, recently returned from a similar trip to Villa Catalina. This group conducted a sports camp and Young Life Program for the youth and teens of the village. Sam Rothermel led the group, which also included Jon Buice, Ian Calhoun, Tom Eubanks, Nathan Mallory, William Pass, and Tom and Frankie Rehg. Former Assistant Chaplain Phill Ellington was also one of those who responded to Amigos for Christ founder John Bland's invitation to help. Prior to the mission, Chapel members donated new and used sports equipment, which was taken to Villa Catalina by team members. The Chapel also supported the mission team under the auspices of the Missions Committee.

Sam Rothermel (center, seated) oversees the sorting of the equipment for the sporting events.

Eubanks and Rothermel reported that six members of the team had Young Life Experience and one was a professional basketball player. There were also a number of very talented soccer, basketball, volleyball and Frisbee experts on the teams.

A typical day included two-hour sports sessions both in the mornings and afternoons. There were daily Young Life sessions from 5 to 7 p.m. The team left at 7:30 in the morning and typically returned by 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the evenings. One afternoon, a field day was organized for the younger children, including tug-of-wars, relay races and other games.  In the evenings during the Young Life sessions, simple VBS crafts were provided for the younger children. Between sessions, home visits were made with the younger children.

The excited youngsters manage to listen quietly as the organizers go over a few rules before the games begin.

Team members report that the entire village enjoyed the opportunity to engage in sporting events and that a new basketball/soccer/volleyball court was constructed for competition. Several Nicaraguan staff members of Amigos for Christ noted that a number of teens at the Young Life sessions had never before participated in anything in the village.

This very first Villa Catalina sports camp, field day, Young Life meetings and VBS for young children was a great success. Special thanks go to hardworking Roseanna Canales, Sam Rothermel and Tom and Frankie Rehg. Bland has already requested that a similar team be formed in 2008.